Dario Cataldo Wins Stage 16 of Vuelta a Espana

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Dario Cataldo Wins Stage 16 of Vuelta a Espana

Team Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez is in prime position to win the Spanish Vuelta after holding off Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank's Alberto Contador in today's stage - the most demanding stage of the 2012 Vuelta a Espana Grand Tour.

The mountainous 16th stage was won by Italian Dario Cataldo of Team Omega Pharma - QuickStep.

Contador tried repeatedly to break away from his fellow Spaniard during the grueling final stretch after four special category climbs. Rodriguez pulled ahead as the riders neared the finish at the summit.

Rodriguez extended his lead by 6 seconds over Contador in the 21-stage race. He now leads the 2008 champion by 28 seconds as he nears what would be his first Vuelta victory.

Vacansoleil's Thomas de Gendt of Belgium was next, 7 seconds back. Rodriguez was 2:39 behind in third, followed by Contador.

"I've made a great step (to winning)," commented Rodriguez, whose overall time is now 63:38:24. "There's not much Vuelta left ... Luckily, I have these extra seconds under my belt."

Rodriguez sat on Contador's back wheel during the final 3.1 miles as the road narrowed with spectators lining both sides. The last 11 miles of the stage were all uphill.

"You exert so much on these ascents. You try not to empty yourself out too soon," Rodriguez explained. "Alberto controlled it pretty well though."

Contador, a two-time Tour de France champion, paid tribute to Rodriguez after his failed breakaway and knowing there are few opportunities left before Sunday's finish.

"We arrived together, we both tried. Independent of the result, I can't take anything away from Joaquin who has been so strong," said Contador, who missed this year's Tour because of a doping ban. "I'm happy with the work we've done. My legs were better today. I would have preferred a bad weather day, it could have helped me."

There has been little rain or wind during the 67th edition of the Spanish classic. Contador has one last chance to seize the leader's red jersey, on Saturday in the penultimate stage that ends with another testing mountain finish at Bola del Mundo.